Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, Protected area in Franklin Township, New Jersey.
The Six Mile Run Reservoir Site is a protected area in Franklin Township covering about 3,000 acres of forests, streams, and former farm fields. Four marked trails totaling roughly 13 miles wind through the property and accommodate hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
The state purchased this land in 1970 for a reservoir project, but alternative water sources made the plan unnecessary. It was transformed into a recreational area by 1993.
The site preserves remnants of 18th and 19th century farms, including houses with Dutch timber framing, barns, windmills, and silos that tell the story of rural New Jersey. These structures remain scattered across the landscape, allowing visitors to experience how people once lived and worked here.
Parking areas are located at Canal Road, Jacques Lane, and Route 27, serving as trailheads for exploration. Visitors should come prepared for varying conditions depending on the season, especially muddy or wet areas during wetter months.
The name comes from early surveyors who measured the distance from King's Highway to a stream crossing as six miles and named it accordingly. This unusual naming method reveals how surveyors once identified places using practical distance measurements rather than formal designations.
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